The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-11-16
New York this Year and Next.

The result of the New York cleo
ton, though somewhat disappointing
in view of the splendid canvass made
by the republicans, is not so surprising
tory was won by resort to the worst
political methods. That the demo-
cratic and independent journals should
rejoice over triumph obtained through
such influences betrays deplorable
lack of moral principle. We do not
agree with some republican papers that
the result is an unfavorable augury for
republican success in 1888, or that it
makes it necessary for republicans to
cast about for presidential candidate
who can secure the favor and support
of the entire mugwump element. AS
stated in another article, there are
more than 100000 voters in the state
who did not vote in this election. The
result this year may therefore be termed
a drawn battle, for the democrats have
/ pun AMY VI Ohl1 a low luOuodnbS
more than in 1884, while the republic
cans have not lost much ground out
side of New York, Kings and Rens-
selaer counties. Any calculation in
regard to the vote for president next
year must be based upon the probable
complexion of the vote that has been
silent since 1884. AS this can only be
a matter of conjecture, it follows that
the result this year cannot be accepted
as determining the result in 1888. One
fact is certain Mr.. Blaine received the
largest vote ever cast in New York for
republican candidate, and the repub-
lican candidate next year will have to
poll larger vote to carry the state I'M
less the labor party has a presidential
candidate in the field and can draw
more largely from the democratic
strength than it has done this year.
AS to the mugwumps of New York,
good part of this element have sought
to aid the republicans in three cam
paigns, and yet the republicans have
been defeated each time. This dis
poses of the theory that the mugwump
is an Indispensable factor in republican
success. The prohibition party, after
a vigorous campaign, have increased
their vote less than 2,700 over their
vote of 1886 At the same rate of in
crease hereafter this conscience
party" as they call themselves, may
carry New York sometime in the latter
part of the twenty-first century. What
it has accomplished this year has been
to aid the foes of all practical temper
ance legislation and to elect demo-
cratic brewer to an important state
office. The labor vote was considerably
smaller than had been generally pre-
dicted, and larger proportion of it
came from the republican party than
had been expected. Whether it will
be an important factor another year or
not no one can tell. There is one les
son in the New York election which
should be remembered when it is pro-
posed to select presidential candidate
on account of supposed availability
rather than for ability and large ex-
perience in public affairs: it does not
always strengthen party to nominate
man for an important office because
he happens to be the son of an illustri-
Gus father. This certainly proved
weak point in the republican canvass in
New York this year.
BY many persons New York is now
regarded as the "pivotal state " and as
Indispensable to republican success in
1888. This may or may not be the cor
rect view. If the republicans can
carry all the states they did in 1884
(and of this there can be little doubt
they would only need to carry Indiana
and Connecticut or New Jersey to elect
their president without the vote of New
York. With Harrison on the ticket
the republicans would surely carry In
diana. The present political situation
in Connecticut, New Jersey and West
Virginia is decidedly hopeful for re-
publican prospects in those states next
year. The admission of Dakota to
statehood would add another state to
the republican column. 1t is not so
certain, therefore, that New York
is the "pivotal state" for the repub-
licans, though all concede that it is es-
sential to the success of the democrats.
The Crime and the Penalty.
The last act in the anarchist tragedy